Disco No Go! Ignition Key Will Not Turn! - Land Rovers Only

Beirut_Rover · 06-24-2006, 08:27 AM

I jumped in the truck, and the ignition key will not turn at all.

I had this problem once before about a year ago and the dealership mechanic who came out to look at it opened the "door" underneath the steering wheel, poked around for less than five minutes, and fixed the probelm.

My problem is I have no idea what he did! (I don't speak Arabic).

Now I am facing the same problem. I am wondering if it is related to the steering lock. I noticed that when I got in the truck the steering lock was not engaged, and I have got this funny feeling that is wasn't last time either....

It's in park, and everything else seems to be ok, you can insert the key fine, you just cannot turn it in the ignition at all.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Explorer4x4 · 06-24-2006, 08:39 AM

try moving the steering wheel side to side while truning the key.

Disco Mike · 06-24-2006, 09:40 AM

Your old key may have too much wear on it, which will cause a build up on metal filings to build up inside the tumbler assembly. Try blowing out the tumblers. Do you have another key, if so try it.
I realize your steering is not locked so try locking the steering wheel by turning hard in one direction. Now put the key in, rotate the steering wheel to unlock the steering column and turn the key.
Hope this helps,
Mike

Beirut_Rover · 06-25-2006, 02:17 AM

Mike, the steering is actually locked now. I locked it while trying to initially get the key to turn.

I was hoping someone might know what exactly the dealership mechanic might have done under the wheel to solve the problem??

I will try my other key as well.

Thanks again guys!

Roverdisco98 · 06-25-2006, 03:54 AM

Don't now what the mechanic did but when this happens to me I just tap the lock with a small hammer and what ever was stuck frees up and the key turns.

jviss · 03-15-2008, 02:34 PM

Just bumping this thread 'cause I have this problem today, on a '96 DI. Please help!

Is it possible to remove the lock cylinder without taking the car completely apart?

Thanks,

jv

Adam in NYC USA · 03-15-2008, 10:30 PM

Either minor debris in the key path or one of the pins are getting uncooperative. Work the steering wheel lock to lock and put a little tension on the ignition key. Let the tension off momentarily and try the key again. After a half dozen tries, the lock will surrender to you.

YellowFever · 03-16-2008, 08:09 AM

I had the same problem with my 97 Disco. It had something to do with the linkage for the gear shift lever. I was able to get it to turn by wiggling the gear shift lever at the same time I was turning the key. They were able to fix it by adjusting a linkage.

afirover · 03-19-2008, 08:14 AM

I had the same issues a few years back and I made a few changes and came up with this still in the truck works great never have anouther issue agian

daniels disco · 04-17-2008, 02:17 PM

Hi., remove the steering column cover, on the key side there is a red/white wire with a male lead (I think it's red/white) going to a female connection by the key. this is a magnetic pawl that prevents the key from removal while driving. If it is not connected the key will not come out, but once there is current thru the wires, the key can be removed.
good luck, dan

daniels disco · 04-17-2008, 02:27 PM

lock cylinder removal--- the problem your gonna face are the factory installed break-away bolts. The locksmith who did my repairs was a grade school friend of mine, so he let me in on a few tricks. use a ball-pin hammer and a pointed cold chiseland just gently tap those bad boys outta there. dan

06-24-2006, 08:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Beirut_Rover Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beirut Posts: 41 Gallery: 0	Disco No Go! Ignition Key Will Not Turn! I jumped in the truck, and the ignition key will not turn at all. I had this problem once before about a year ago and the dealership mechanic who came out to look at it opened the "door" underneath the steering wheel, poked around for less than five minutes, and fixed the probelm. My problem is I have no idea what he did! (I don't speak Arabic). Now I am facing the same problem. I am wondering if it is related to the steering lock. I noticed that when I got in the truck the steering lock was not engaged, and I have got this funny feeling that is wasn't last time either.... It's in park, and everything else seems to be ok, you can insert the key fine, you just cannot turn it in the ignition at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

06-24-2006, 08:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Explorer4x4 who that is?™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oxford, MS Posts: 152 Gallery: 0	try moving the steering wheel side to side while truning the key. __________________ 1995 Disco on 33's 1988 Range Rover- trimmed fenders, big rack, HIDs,... 2000 Turbocharged Explorer 5.0 AWD....'tis fast 2005 Ford F150 4x4... company vehicle

03-15-2008, 02:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
jviss Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0	Any more wisdom on this? Just bumping this thread 'cause I have this problem today, on a '96 DI. Please help! Is it possible to remove the lock cylinder without taking the car completely apart? Thanks, jv

03-15-2008, 10:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Adam in NYC USA The Urban Motorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 958 Gallery: 0	Either minor debris in the key path or one of the pins are getting uncooperative. Work the steering wheel lock to lock and put a little tension on the ignition key. Let the tension off momentarily and try the key again. After a half dozen tries, the lock will surrender to you. __________________ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Owner of a 1996 Land Rover Discovery 1 in Beluga Black or the Dirt of the Day. Where we are going,we don't need roads. Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance it accumulates in the form of inert facts. ‘The Education of Henry Adams’ (1907) ch. 25

03-16-2008, 08:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
YellowFever Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 75 Gallery: 0	I had the same problem with my 97 Disco. It had something to do with the linkage for the gear shift lever. I was able to get it to turn by wiggling the gear shift lever at the same time I was turning the key. They were able to fix it by adjusting a linkage. __________________ Remember: Success is nothing but luck. Just ask any failure. - anon Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser. Vince Lombardi

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06-24-2006, 09:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,131 Gallery: 0	Your old key may have too much wear on it, which will cause a build up on metal filings to build up inside the tumbler assembly. Try blowing out the tumblers. Do you have another key, if so try it. I realize your steering is not locked so try locking the steering wheel by turning hard in one direction. Now put the key in, rotate the steering wheel to unlock the steering column and turn the key. Hope this helps, Mike

06-25-2006, 02:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Beirut_Rover Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beirut Posts: 41 Gallery: 0	Mike, the steering is actually locked now. I locked it while trying to initially get the key to turn. I was hoping someone might know what exactly the dealership mechanic might have done under the wheel to solve the problem?? I will try my other key as well. Thanks again guys!

06-25-2006, 03:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roverdisco98 Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 25 Gallery: 0	Don't now what the mechanic did but when this happens to me I just tap the lock with a small hammer and what ever was stuck frees up and the key turns.

03-19-2008, 08:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
afirover AFIROVER Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: INDY IN Posts: 229 Gallery: 0	I had the same issues a few years back and I made a few changes and came up with this still in the truck works great never have anouther issue agian Attached Thumbnails

04-17-2008, 02:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
daniels disco daniels disco Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: corpus christi tx. Posts: 13 Gallery: 0	Hi., remove the steering column cover, on the key side there is a red/white wire with a male lead (I think it's red/white) going to a female connection by the key. this is a magnetic pawl that prevents the key from removal while driving. If it is not connected the key will not come out, but once there is current thru the wires, the key can be removed. good luck, dan

04-17-2008, 02:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
daniels disco daniels disco Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: corpus christi tx. Posts: 13 Gallery: 0	lock cylinder removal--- the problem your gonna face are the factory installed break-away bolts. The locksmith who did my repairs was a grade school friend of mine, so he let me in on a few tricks. use a ball-pin hammer and a pointed cold chiseland just gently tap those bad boys outta there. dan

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